Which space exploration activity has most helped astronomers determine the age of the moon?
a collection of deep space images by the Hubble telescope
b experiments performed on the international space station
c collection of lunar rock samples
d placement of mirrors on the lunar surface
c collection of lunar rock samples
The correct answer is c) collection of lunar rock samples. The lunar rock samples collected during the Apollo missions have been crucial in determining the age of the moon. By studying the composition and isotopic ratios of these rocks, scientists have been able to establish a timeline of lunar geological history and estimate the age of the moon.
To determine the age of the Moon, the activity that has most helped astronomers is the collection of lunar rock samples (option c).
Explanation:
Collecting lunar rock samples has provided scientists with direct physical evidence from the Moon's surface, including rocks and soil. These samples have been carefully analyzed in laboratories on Earth, using various dating techniques, such as radiometric dating.
Radiometric dating measures the abundance of specific isotopes and their decay products in a rock sample to determine its age. By analyzing the isotopes and their decay rates, scientists can estimate the time it took for the rocks to form and calculate the approximate age of the Moon.
The lunar rock samples were collected by the Apollo missions between 1969 and 1972. Astronauts brought back hundreds of kilograms of rock and soil samples, which have been instrumental in understanding the Moon's geology, history, and age.
While the other options listed have contributed to different areas of astronomical research, they have not been as directly related to determining the age of the Moon as the collection of lunar rock samples.